Ultrasound Probe with Smart Accessory

ABSTRACT

A medical ultrasound system that includes an ultrasound probe and one of number of optional accessories attached to the ultrasound probe. The accessory exchanges data with the probe and receives power from the probe. The accessory includes processors and logic that governs it operation thereby adding functionality to the probe. The accessory receives input and provides output via any of a number of communication mechanisms, i.e., wireless, electrical, optical, RFID, IR, and the like. The accessory adds functionality to the probe, such as fiber optic shape sensing, obtaining electrical signals, obtaining bio-impedance measurements, tracking a needle, and determining the orientation of the probe. The accessory may include a needle guide, a triphalangeal support structure, or an acoustically transparent cap.

BACKGROUND

Obtaining ultrasound images may be employed during a various medical procedures. Ultrasound systems and the associated ultrasound probes may be combined with a wide variety other medical devices and systems to enhance the performance of the medical procedures and reduce patient risk. However, the modification of the ultrasound systems or probes to accommodate integrated use with the other medical devices can be costly and logically complex. Systems and devices disclosed herein address the forgoing.

SUMMARY

Briefly summarized, disclosed herein is an ultrasound system that includes an ultrasound probe and an accessory attached to the ultrasound probe, where data is exchanged between the ultrasound probe and the accessory via a communication interface, and/or where the ultrasound probe supplies electrical power to the accessory via a power interface.

In some embodiments, the accessory is configured to selectively attach to and detach from the ultrasound probe.

In some embodiments, the accessory is coupled with the ultrasound probe across a medical procedural barrier.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound system further includes the medical procedural barrier, where the medical procedural barrier includes a sheath covering the ultrasound probe.

In some embodiments, the power interface includes electrical contacts, a magnetic field configured to transfer electrical power to the accessory, or a combination of the electrical contacts and the magnetic field.

In some embodiments, the communication interface includes a wireless connection between the ultrasound probe and the accessory.

In some embodiments, the wireless connection facilitates obtaining accessory identification data from an RFID chip of the accessory.

In some embodiments, the communication interface includes a fiber optic interface such that data is optically exchanged between the ultrasound probe and the accessory.

In some embodiments, the accessory is configured to obtain input data via a number of accessory devices, where the number of accessory devices includes one or more of: an operator interface including buttons, a joystick, or a scroll wheel; a fingerprint scanner; a microphone; an infrared receiver; an RFID reader; a scanner; or a camera.

In some embodiments, the accessory includes an optical fiber system including an optical fiber having a number of sensors disposed along a length of the optical fiber, and the data includes one or more of: doppler data related to fluid or tissue motion adjacent the optical fiber; an image acquired by the optical fiber; a shape or strain of the optical fiber; a motion of at least a portion of the optical fiber.

In some embodiments, the accessory includes an orientation monitoring system configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound probe, where the orientation monitoring system includes one or more of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) or a gyroscope, and the data includes an orientation of the ultrasound probe.

In some embodiments, the accessory includes a magnetic tracking system configured to track a location and/or an orientation of a needle, and the data includes the location and/or an orientation of the elongate medical device with respect to the ultrasound probe.

In some embodiments, the accessory includes a bio-impedance system configured to determine an impedance of a substance adjacent an elongate medical device of the impedance system when the elongate medical device is inserted within the patient, and the data includes a determined impedance of the substance.

In some embodiments, the accessory includes an electrical signal monitoring system, where the electrical signal monitoring system includes an electrode disposed at a distal tip of the elongate medical device, where the electrode is configured to electrically couple with a patient when the elongate medical device is inserted within the patient, and where the data includes an electrical signal emanating from the patient.

In some embodiments, the accessory is configured to provide output via one or more of: a number of light indicators; a light projector; an audio transducer; a haptic transducer; a writing to an RFID chip; electrical signals; or fiber optic signals.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound system is configured to (i) identify one or more blood vessels within an ultrasound image and (ii) determine a location of the one or more blood vessels with respect to the ultrasound probe. In such embodiments, the ultrasound system includes the one or more light indicators and the one or more light indicators are configured to indicate the location of the one or more blood vessels.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound system is configured to (i) identify one or more blood vessels within an ultrasound image and (ii) determine a location of the one or more blood vessels with respect to the ultrasound probe. In such embodiments, the ultrasound system includes the projected light, where the projected light includes an indicium projected onto the patient, that indicates an insertion site for a needle.

In some embodiments, the accessory further includes one or more of: a needle guide; a triphalangeal support structure; a medical procedural barrier control mechanism; or an acoustically transparent cap.

In some embodiments, the accessory includes an output portal configured to provide data and/or power to an external device, where the output portal includes one or more of an electrical interface, a magnetic field interface, or an optical interface.

Also disclosed herein is an ultrasound probe accessory that, according to some embodiments, includes an accessory housing configured for selective attachment to and detachment from an ultrasound probe, and a console disposed within the housing. The console includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having logic stored thereon that when executed by the one or more processors governs operation of the accessory to enhance functionality of the ultrasound probe. In such embodiments, the accessory is configured to receive electrical power from the ultrasound probe and/or exchange data with the ultrasound probe.

These and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the present disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Example embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an ultrasound imaging system including an accessory in use with a patient, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2A is an illustration of an ultrasound probe of FIG. 1 with an attached accessory having a number of light indicators, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2B is an illustration of the ultrasound probe of FIG. 1 with an attached accessory having a light projector, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3A is an illustration of an accessory including an electrical signal monitoring system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3B is an illustration of an accessory including a fiber optic system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3C is an illustration of an accessory including a bio-impedance system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3D is an illustration of an accessory including a probe orientation monitoring system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3E is an illustration of an accessory including a needle tracking system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4A is an illustration of an accessory including a needle guide, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4B is an illustration of an accessory including a triphalangeal support structure, in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 4C is an illustration of an accessory including an acoustically transparent cap, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are neither limiting nor necessarily drawn to scale.

For clarity it is to be understood that the word “proximal” refers to a direction relatively closer to a clinician using the device to be described herein, while the word “distal” refers to a direction relatively further from the clinician. For example, the end of a needle or catheter placed within the body of a patient is considered a distal end of the needle or catheter, while the needle or catheter end remaining outside the body is a proximal end of the needle or catheter. Also, the words “including,” “has,” and “having,” as used herein, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

The phrases “connected to,” or “coupled with,” and “in communication with” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including but not limited to mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, wireless, and optical interaction. Two components may be physically coupled with each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be physically coupled with each other through an intermediate component.

The term “logic” may be representative of hardware, firmware or software that is configured to perform one or more functions. As hardware, the term logic may refer to or include circuitry having data processing and/or storage functionality. Examples of such circuitry may include, but are not limited or restricted to a hardware processor (e.g., microprocessor, one or more processor cores, a digital signal processor, a programmable gate array, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit “ASIC”, etc.), a semiconductor memory, or combinatorial elements.

Additionally, or in the alternative, the term logic may refer to or include software such as one or more processes, one or more instances, Application Programming Interface(s) (API), subroutine(s), function(s), applet(s), servlet(s), routine(s), source code, object code, shared library/dynamic link library (dll), or even one or more instructions. This software may be stored in any type of a suitable non-transitory storage medium, or transitory storage medium (e.g., electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals such as carrier waves, infrared signals, or digital signals). Examples of a non-transitory storage medium may include, but are not limited or restricted to a programmable circuit; non-persistent storage such as volatile memory (e.g., any type of random access memory “RAM”); or persistent storage such as non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory “ROM”, power-backed RAM, flash memory, phase-change memory, etc.), a solid-state drive, hard disk drive, an optical disc drive, or a portable memory device. As firmware, the logic may be stored in persistent storage.

FIG. 1 illustrates an ultrasound imaging system (system) 100 in use with a patient 50. The system 100 is generally configured for ultrasonically imaging a target area of the patient 50. The system 100 may be configured to facilitate the placement of a medical device (e.g., a guidewire, a catheter, a needle, or the like) within a patient vasculature. In some embodiments, the system 100 may be configured to facilitate defining a vascular access pathway for the medical device, such as via the insertion of a needle, for example. In some embodiments, the system 100 may further facilitate the positioning and/or orienting of the needle so that the needle may be accurately inserted into a target blood vessel.

The system 100 generally includes a display module 110, an ultrasound probe (probe) 120, and a console 115. The display module 110 includes a display 111. The display 111 and the probe 120 each include one or more user input controls 112, 122, respectively. The console 115 includes a number of console components (not shown) that govern the operation of the system 100. The console components may include inter alia one or more processors and memory (e.g., non-volatile memory or non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium) having logic stored thereon. Any portion of the console 115 may be included in the display module 110 and/or the probe 120. Briefly, the probe 120 is configured to (i) transmit ultrasonic signals from a head portion 121 thereof into a portion of a patient body 50 and (ii) receive the ultrasonic signals after reflection by internal structures of the patient body. The system 100 processes the reflected ultrasonic signals for depiction on the display 111. The system 100 may also be configured to (i) identify one or more blood vessels 52 within an ultrasound image 113 and (ii) determine a location of the one or more blood vessels 52 with respect to the probe 120.

The system 100 further includes an accessory 150 coupled with the probe 120. The accessory 150 includes a housing 155 configured to selectively attach to and detach from the probe 120. The accessory 150 is a smart device, i.e., the accessory 150 includes a console 156 disposed within the housing 155 that may include one or more processors, and memory (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) having logic stored thereon that governs the operation of the accessory 150. The accessory 150 is one of a number (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more) of optional accessories that may be coupled with the probe 120 and configured to enhance functionality of the probe 120 or the system 100 as a whole.

The accessory 150 may be configured to exchange data with the probe 120 via a communication interface 130. The communication interface 130 may include a number of a communication mechanisms either individually or in combination between the accessory 150 and the probe 120. The communication mechanisms may include an electrical connection, a fiber optical coupling, an inductive (or magnetic field) coupling, or a wireless connection. Exemplary wireless communication modalities can include WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communications (NFC), cellular Global System for Mobile Communication (“GSM”), electromagnetic (EM), radio frequency (RF), combinations thereof, or the like. The data may include any information related to the operation of the accessory 150. The data may also include identification data of the accessory 150, such as a name, a model, a serial number, and/or manufacturing date, for example.

In some embodiments, the accessory 150 may be configured to only transmit data to the probe 120, and in some embodiments the accessory 150 may be configured to only receive data from the probe 120. In further embodiments, the accessory 150 may be configured to neither transmit data to the probe 120 nor receive data from the probe 120.

In some embodiments, the probe 120 may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader 123 configured to obtain information from the accessory 150 including an identification of the accessory 150. As discussed above, the accessory 150 may be one of a number of accessories and a such each accessory may include a unique identification. By way of example, in use, the RFID reader 123 may obtain the unique identification of the accessory 150 from an RFID chip of the accessory.

The accessory 150 may receive electrical power from the probe 120 via a power interface 131. The power interface 131 may include an electrical connection, or an inductive (or magnetic field) coupling. In some embodiments, the accessory 150 may include a power source (e.g., battery) to augment the electrical power received from the probe 120. In some embodiments, the accessory 150 may include a power source (e.g., battery) as an alternative to receiving electrical power from the probe 120, and as such, the accessory 150 may be configured to not receive electrical power from the probe 120.

In some embodiments, the accessory 150 is coupled with the probe 120 across a medical procedural barrier 124 to define a sterile barrier between the probe 120 and the patient. In some embodiments, the medical procedural barrier 124 includes a sheath that covers the probe 120. As such, the communication interface 130 and the power interface 131 are configured to operate across the medical procedural barrier 124. In some embodiments, the system 100 may include the medical procedural barrier 124.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may include a barrier control mechanism 153. The barrier control mechanism 153 may be configured to isolate or control a portion of the medical procedural barrier 124 disposed between the probe 120 and the accessory 150 so that an electrical connection may breach the medical procedural barrier 124 while maintaining the functionality of the medical procedural barrier 124. Defining the electrical connection may include piercing the medical procedural barrier 124 with one or more electrical pins of blades (not shown).

In some embodiments, the accessory 150 includes an output portal 132 configured to provide data and/or power to an external device. The output portal 132 may include an electrical connection interface to enable to the accessory 150 to electrically provide the data and/or the power to the external device. Alternatively, or in addition to the electrical connection interface, the output portal 132 may include an inductive (or magnetic field) interface to provide the data and/or the power to the external device. The output portal 132 may also include an optical interface to optically provide the data to the external device.

The accessory 150 may be configured to obtain input data via one or more of a number of optional accessory input devices 151. The input devices 151 may include an operator interface having buttons, a joystick, or a scroll wheel for manually inputting data, or adjusting settings of the accessory 150. The input devices 151 may include a fingerprint scanner to obtain an identification of a clinician or the patient 50. The input devices 151 may include a microphone to obtain and/or record audio information, where the audio information may include clinician or patient speech, audio output (e.g., alarms) of other medical equipment, or any other audible sounds during use of the system 100. The input devices 151 may include an infrared (IR) receiver for receiving input via an IR or near IR connection.

The input devices 151 may include an RFID reader; a scanner; and/or camera for obtaining and/or logging data from any suitable source, such as separate medical device, a medical fluid container, a clinician ID badge, or a patient ID bracelet, for example.

The accessory 150 may be configured to provide output, such as output data to the clinician. The output may be provided via one or more output devices 152, such as an audio transducer and/or a haptic transducer. The output may also be provided via data writings to the RFID chip, electrical signals, or fiber optic signals. In some embodiments, the accessory 150 may include the audio transducer to sound an alarm or other audible notification. For example, the accessory 150 may provide an event notification via the audio transducer for various events during a procedure, such as a cannulation of the target blood vessel, a vein/artery confirmation, or a deviation of a needle from vasculature access pathway, for example. Similarly, as the probe 120 is hand-held, the accessory 150 may cause a vibration of the probe 120 via the haptic transducer in response to various procedural events. In some embodiments, the accessory 150 may generate a data packet of procedural events and send the data packet to the probe 120 via the communication interface 130 or to an external device via the output portal 132.

FIGS. 2A-4C illustrates various accessory embodiments. It is noted that any subset of the accessory embodiments of FIGS. 2A-4C may be combined to define additional accessory embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates an accessory 250 attached to the probe 120, where the accessory 250 may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 250 includes a number of light indicators 210 arranged to indicate a location in relation to the probe 120. The location may include center location of the probe 120 or location of a target blood vessel such as the vein 252 in with respect to the probe 120, for example. In some embodiments, the light indicators 210 may be configured indicate a target blood vessel, such as the vein 252 in accordance with image data received from the probe 120. Still in other embodiments, the light indicators 210 may be configured differentiate one blood vessel from another blood vessel. For example, the light indicators 210 may be configured differentiate the vein 252 from an artery 253. In some embodiments, the accessory 250 may be configured to not transmit data to the probe 120.

FIG. 2B illustrates an accessory 260 attached to the probe 120, where the accessory 260 may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 260 includes a light projector 220 configured to display images, shapes, indicia, colors, or the like onto the skin surface 51 of the patient 50. For example, the light projector 220 may project an indicium 221 on the skin surface 51 of the patient 50 indicating a calculated (or otherwise determined) insertion site 221 for the target blood vessel 254 in accordance with image data received from the probe 120. Similar to the light indicators 210, the light projector 220 may be configured to differentiate one blood vessel from another blood vessel. For example, the light projector 220 may be configured differentiate a vein from an artery. In some embodiments, the light projector 220 may project an indicium, such as an “A”, for example, adjacent an artery and a “V” adjacent a vein. The light projector 220 may indicate an artery versus a vein in other ways, such as projecting a color over a projected image of the blood vessel. As may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill, many other suitable ways of differentiating a vein from an artery or otherwise identifying a blood vessel via the projector 220 may be employed, which other suitable ways are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the accessory 260 may be configured to not transmit data to the probe 120.

FIG. 3A illustrates a distal portion of the probe 120 having the accessory 350 attached thereto, where the accessory 350 may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 350 includes an electrical signal monitoring system 310 that includes an elongate medical device 311 configured for advancement along a vasculature 301 of the patient, such as the superior vena cava 303 entering the heart 307 of the patient, for example. The elongate medical device 311 includes an electrode 312 at a distal end 311A, where the electrode 312 is configured to obtain an electrical signal from the patient 50 such as an electro-cardiogram (ECG) signal, for example. As such, the system 100 may be configured to obtain an ECG signal or any other electrical signal emanating from or otherwise present within the patient.

FIG. 3B illustrates a distal portion of the probe 120 having the accessory 360 attached thereto, where the accessory 360 may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 360 includes a fiber optic system 320 that includes a multi-core optical fiber 321 having a number of sensors (e.g., Fiber Bragg Gratings) 322 disposed along the optical fiber 321. The optical fiber 321 may be configured for advancement along a blood vessel 302 of the patient 50 so that the fiber optic system 320 may acquire data related to the blood vessel 302. In some embodiments, fiber optic system 320 may determine a fluid (e.g., blood 305) or tissue motion adjacent the optical fiber 321 via the doppler effect. The fiber optic system 320 may further acquire data related to a strain, a shape, or a motion of at least a portion of the optical fiber 321 when the optical fiber 321 is advanced along the blood vessel 302. The fiber optic system 320 may also obtain images via the optical fiber 321, such as an image of an interior of a blood vessel, for example. During use, the fiber optic system 320 may provide data to the system 100 related to blood flow, shape or strain of the optical fiber 321, a motion of the optical fiber 321, and/or an image obtained by the optical fiber 321.

FIG. 3C illustrates a distal portion of the probe 120 having the accessory 370 attached thereto, where the accessory 370 may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 370 includes an impedance system 330 having an elongate medical device 331 (e.g., a catheter, a guidewire, a needle, or a stylet) that may be inserted into the patient, such as advancement along a blood vessel 302, for example. The elongate medical device 331 includes two or more electrodes 332 distributed along the elongate medical device 331. The two or more electrodes 332 are configured to obtain an electrical impedance of a bodily substance, such as the blood 305 within the blood vessel 302, for example. In some embodiments, the elongate medical device 331 may be configured for insertion into body tissue so that the two or more electrodes 332 may obtain an electrical bio-impedance of the tissue. During use, the impedance system 330 may provide bio-impedance data to the system 100.

FIG. 3D illustrates a distal portion of the probe 120 having the accessory 380 attached thereto, where the accessory 380 may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 380 includes a probe orientation monitoring system 340. The probe orientation monitoring system 340 includes a gyroscope and/or an inertia measurement unit (IMU) 341 to determine the orientation and/or position of the probe 120. In some instances, the clinician may reposition the probe 120 during a procedure. As such, the probe orientation monitoring system 340 is configured to monitor and determine the orientation and/or position of the probe 120. In some embodiments, the probe orientation monitoring system 340 may determine the orientation/position or a shift in the orientation/position of the probe 120 during use. The accessory 380 may further provide data to the system 100 pertaining to the orientation/position or a shift in the orientation/position of the probe 120.

FIG. 3E illustrates a distal portion of the probe 120 having the accessory 390 attached thereto, where the accessory 390 may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 390 includes a needle tracking system 391 configured to track (e.g., magnetically track) the orientation and/or position of a needle 392 with respect to the probe 120 during use. In some embodiments, the needle 392 may include a number of magnetic elements 393 and the needle tracking system 391 may include a number of magnetic sensors 394. A Medical device tracking and guidance system is described for various instruments, including needles, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,521,961 titled “Systems and Methods for Guiding a Medical Instrument” filed on Dec. 23, 2011, which is included herein by reference in its entirety. The needle tracking system 391 provides needle tracking data to the system 100.

FIG. 4A illustrates the accessory 450, where the accessory 390 may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 450 includes a needle guide 410 attached thereto. The needle guide 410 includes a channel 411 configured for receiving a needle 412 therein such that the needle guide 410 defines a lateral position and an orientation of the needle 412 with respect to the accessory 450 (i.e., the probe 120) during use. In some embodiments, the accessory 450 may alternatively include a needle guide connector (not shown) configured for selective attachment to and detachment from the needle guide 410. As the accessory 450 may be a passive device, the accessory 450 may be configured to neither exchange data with nor receive electrical power from the probe 120.

FIG. 4B illustrates an accessory 460 that may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 460 includes triphalangeal stabilization structure 420 (e.g., a tripod structure) having three support members (legs) 421-423 extending between the accessory 450 and the skin surface 51 of the patient 50. The triphalangeal stabilization structure 420 is configured to enhance the stabilization of the probe 120 when the probe 120 is placed on the patient. As the accessory 460 may be a passive device, the accessory 460 may be configured to neither exchange data with nor receive electrical power from the probe 120.

FIG. 4C illustrates an accessory 470 that may in some respects resemble the components and functionality of the accessory 150. The accessory 470 includes a lens cap 430 configured for disposition between the probe 120 and the skin surface 51, where the lens portion 430A of the lens cap 430 is ultrasonically transparent. In some embodiments, the lens cap 430 includes a gel 431 to enhance an ultrasonic coupling of the probe 120 with the skin surface 51. As the accessory 470 may be a passive device, the accessory 470 may be configured to neither exchange data with nor receive electrical power from the probe 120.

Embodiments of the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the embodiments is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

1. A medical ultrasound system, comprising: an ultrasound probe; and an accessory attached to the ultrasound probe, wherein the medical ultrasound system is configured for one or both of: exchanging data between the ultrasound probe and the accessory via a communication interface, and supplying electrical power from the ultrasound probe to the accessory via a power interface.
 2. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is configured to selectively attach to and detach from the ultrasound probe.
 3. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is coupled with the ultrasound probe across a medical procedural barrier.
 4. The ultrasound system of claim 3, further comprising the medical procedural barrier, the medical procedural barrier including a sheath covering the ultrasound probe.
 5. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the power interface includes electrical contacts and/or a magnetic field configured to transfer the electrical power to the accessory.
 6. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the communication interface includes a wireless connection between the ultrasound probe and the accessory.
 7. The ultrasound system of claim 6, wherein the wireless connection facilitates obtaining accessory identification data from an RFID chip of the accessory.
 8. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the communication interface includes a fiber optical interface such that the data is optically exchanged between the ultrasound probe and the accessory.
 9. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is configured to obtain input data via a number of accessory input devices that include one or more of: an operator interface including buttons, a joystick, or a scroll wheel; fingerprint scanner; microphone; an IR receiver; an RFID reader; a scanner; or a camera.
 10. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein: the accessory includes a fiber optic system including an optical fiber having a number of sensors disposed along a length of the optical fiber, and the data includes one or more of: doppler data related to fluid or tissue motion adjacent the optical fiber; an image acquired by the optical fiber; a shape or strain of the optical fiber; or a motion of the optical fiber.
 11. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein: the accessory includes an orientation monitoring system configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound probe, the orientation monitoring system includes one or more of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) or a gyroscope, and the data includes an orientation of the ultrasound probe.
 12. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein: the accessory includes a magnetic tracking system configured to track a location and/or an orientation of a needle, and the data includes the location and/or an orientation of the needle with respect to the ultrasound probe.
 13. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein: the accessory includes a bio-impedance system configured to determine an impedance of a substance adjacent an elongate medical device of the impedance system when the elongate medical device is inserted within the patient, and the data includes a determined impedance of the substance.
 14. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein: the accessory includes an electrical signal monitoring system, the electrical signal monitoring system includes an electrode disposed at a distal tip of the elongate medical device, the electrode is configured to electrically couple with a patient when the elongate medical device is inserted within the patient, and the data includes an electrical signal emanating from the patient.
 15. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is configured to provide output via one or more of: a number of light indicators; a light projector; an audio transducer; a haptic transducer; a writing to an RFID chip; electrical signals; or fiber optic signals.
 16. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein: the ultrasound system is configured to identify one or more blood vessels within an ultrasound image, the ultrasound system is configured to determine a location of the one or more blood vessels with respect to the ultrasound probe, the ultrasound system includes the one or more light indicators, and the one or more light indicators are configured to indicate the location of the one or more blood vessels with respect to the ultrasound probe.
 17. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein: the ultrasound system is configured to identify a target blood vessel within an ultrasound image, the ultrasound system is configured to determine a location of the target blood vessel with respect to the ultrasound probe, the ultrasound system includes the light projector, and a light from the light projector includes an indicium projected onto the patient, the indicum indicating an insertion site for a needle to access the target blood vessel.
 18. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the accessory further includes one or more of: a needle guide, a triphalangeal support structure, a medical procedural barrier control mechanism; or an acoustically transparent cap.
 19. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the accessory further includes an output portal configured to provide data and/or power to an external device, the output portal including one or more of an electrical interface, a magnetic field interface, or an optical interface.
 20. An ultrasound probe accessory, comprising: an accessory housing configured for selective attachment to and detachment from an ultrasound probe; and a console disposed within the housing, the console including one or more processors and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having logic stored thereon that when executed by the one or more processors governs operation of the accessory to enhance functionality of the ultrasound probe, wherein the accessory is configured for one or both of: receiving electrical power from the ultrasound probe, and exchanging data with the ultrasound probe. 